Teens Arrested In Slaughter Of 50 Seals

Three teens have been arrested in the slaughter of 50 seals. The teens — age 15, 17, and 18 — are accused of brutally killing the seals on Prince Edward Island, Canada.

The dead seals were discovered on January 27 by several veterinary students. Necropsy results revealed that the seals were beaten. The Atlantic Veterinary College determined that many of the seals, some only pups, had “severely fractured” skulls. Although most of the seals likely died instantly, numerous others were left to suffer.

As reported by CBC, Pierre-Yves Daoust of Charlottetown’s Atlantic Veterinary College worries that the slaughter of 50 seals will create a “bad image” of Canada:

“This cannot be done. This is not acceptable. This has nothing to do with the seal hunt. That is not what a professional sealer would do. A professional sealer would make sure that the animal is used as much as possible [and] would make sure that the animal dies as quickly as possible.”

The Humane Society International/Canada offered a $5,000 reward for information, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police eventually became involved in the investigation. As reported by CBC Canada, “interfering with marine mammals” is illegal under the Canadian Fisheries Act. Additionally, “causing undue suffering to an animal” is considered criminal activity, according to the Criminal Code of Canada.

The Kings County teens arrested in the slaughter of 50 seals were released to their parents after questioning. A court date has been scheduled for April 11 to determine how authorities will proceed. Formal charges have not yet been filed, but authorities reportedly recovered evidence thought to be related to the crime. All three teens are facing the possibility of criminal charges for “causing unnecessary suffering to animals.”